Do you have dry mouth like a desert? Here’s why

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, happens when salivary glands in your mouth do not produce enough saliva. If you have dry mouth, you may constantly feel the need to drink water- only to find that you still have a ‘dry feeling’ afterwards. Having a dry mouth may result in bad breath, a dry tongue, difficulty swallowing, and a general unpleasant feeling.

Causes of dry mouth:

Medications

Side effects of several medications, including over-the-counter antihistamines and pain relievers, may include dry mouth.

Tobacco, caffeine, and alcohol use

Reducing tobacco, caffeine, and alcohol use is not only beneficial for your overall health, but also will reduce dry mouth.

Certain health conditions

Diabetes, stroke, or Alzheimer’s disease can all contribute to feelings of dry mouth.

Aging

Saliva production decreases as one ages, which results in dry mouth.

How to fix it?

Use over-the-counter mouthwashes for dry mouth, which contain the active ingredient xylitol.

You may also contact your primary care provider to see which medications you are taking could be contributing to a dry mouth symptom.

Your doctor or dentist may prescribe medication to stimulate saliva production and reduce the symptoms of dry mouth.

Feel free to contact Drs. Ali & Ali and their newest addition to the team, Dr. Zarah Ali, if you have any thoughts or concerns. Your little ones and teens are welcome to visit our pediatric dentist Dr. Van. Dr. Emad is happy to help with your orthodontic needs. For wisdom teeth extractions or any other periodontal or oral surgery needs, Dr. Ghazi would be more than willing to help.

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About Us

Dr. Ejaz and Dr. Femina Ali have a strong desire to provide the very best that dentistry has to offer, and have a combined 40 years of clinical experience to meet that commitment! Graduates of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Drs. Ali and Ali have become recognized leaders in cosmetic, implant, and restorative dentistry. In order to remain on the leading edge of dental technologies and techniques, their personal commitment includes hundreds of hours each year in advanced dental training. Drs. Ali and Ali consistently stay up to date on the most current techniques including procedures in restorative, TMJ, sedation, implant and laser dentistry.